Only God Can

[Those who sow in tears]

Writing out my own story is teaching me so much. I’m even quite overwhelmed by what God has done in my life. I can see how He takes the hard things and keeps turning them into something beautiful, as well as the ways He’s protected me.

No, He doesn’t spare us all of life’s struggles and heartaches, but behind those challenges, there is purpose there too. Nothing is ever taken for granted by the Lord, and He doesn’t miss a minute detail. Though we may not understand at the time–and perhaps we may never know the answers to some of our questions until our story is complete–we can seek Him and He will reveal things to us along the way if we listen for His voice.

He Speaks!

He speaks in so many different ways. Even in our own language. For me He often shows me things through nature, as well as in the words of a song. Other times He speaks straight to my heart.

Sometimes God’s voice is a soft gentle thought. (This one I’m not confident in, and I sometimes question, “Okay, was that me or was that You?”) At times He is very visual with me (I seem to understand this the easiest), while other times He helps me to work things out through what feels sort of like word math–which is kind of odd because mathematical equations were always a bit of a struggle for me. Words, however, I do love and I quite enjoy working out this sort of puzzle.

He Inspires!

Jesus inspires me at every turn. He has managed to make me smile even in my struggles and those times that I’ve faced depression. I’ve even found myself quite excited at times at the new thing that I’ve learned. Only God can create that sort of joy in the midst of struggle.

Seasons of Life

The Seasons we go through with God are so unique; each one is so different, and it’s only when we enter the next one that we can truly begin to understand the things we went through in previous seasons.

So don’t lose hope, because hope is never truly lost. Just because you can’t see what God is doing now, doesn’t mean it will always be this way. In fact I guarantee you, that’s not the case.

He Makes me Cry!

I’m actually getting a little tired of crying. (lol) Even tears of joy seem to be mingled with sorrow; It’s like the two meet somewhere in the middle. I’ll be glad for the day when He wipes all of my tears away, but until then I take comfort that my tears aren’t wasted. Only God can promise that and only God can reap a harvest from something so unthinkable as things like strife and sorrow.

We want to believe that our own wisdom knows better and that our comfort and happiness is much more important, however, that’s just not true. It’s only when we’ve been made uncomfortable that we can truly see things most clearly. It’s only when we’ve been put through the paces and tasted life’s hardships and sorrows that we can gain a new perspective. Joy is wonderful and there will be plenty of it up ahead, but here and now—pain is one of our teachers.

Speak Hope and Encouragement

However, we can cling to God, as we cling to each other, and we can continue to speak hope and encouragement. Maybe then the world would feel a little smaller and hope would shine so much brighter. Pain is not the end of the story. We have a choice that’s far more wonderful. It’s a gift that’s free for those who choose it. All we have to do, is as we once did when we were children in the school yard: simply follow the Leader (Jesus).

The verse below is one of my favorites because I feel things quite deeply, so almost needles to say, I cry a lot! It’s the ending of the verse that speaks to my heart. That’s what I hold onto and look forward to the most. The poem below Psalm 126:5 is one of my favorite poems as well, and speaks volumes as to why we must weep.

“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” (Psalm 126:5)

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

You Too Must Weep By Helen Steiner Rice

Let me not live a life that’s free
from “The Things” that draw me close to Thee

For How can I ever hope to heal
the wounds of others I do not feel
If my eyes are dry and I never weep

How do I know when the hurt is deep
If my heart is cold and it never bleeds,

How can I tell what my brother needs
For when my ears are deaf to the beggar’s plea
And we close our eyes and refuse to see
And we steel our hearts and harden our mind,
And we count it a weakness whenever we’re kind
We are no longer following THE FATHER’S WAY
or seeking His guidance from day to day

For, without “crosses to carry” and “burdens to bear”,
we dance through a life that is frothy and fair
And “chasing the rainbow” we have no desire
for “roads that are rough” and “realms that are higher”

So spare me no heartache or sorrow, dear Lord
For the heart that is hurt reaps the richest reward,
and God enters the heart that is broken with sorrow
As He opens the door to a – BRIGHTER TOMORROW,
For only through tears can we recognize
The suffering that lies in anothers eyes.